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Day 9: 25 Days of Christmas Ideas

Looking for a meaningful gift that is more valuable than anything you could buy? Consider giving the gift of words.

Our church did this last year and I was surprised by just how much it meant to those in my own family who received this simple expression of love. We made a set of cards (52 cards- one per week of the year) for each grandparent in our family. Each of our five family members wrote things such as “I love to hear you tell stories” or “I remember when you used to listen to me when I came home after school each day” or “You have been such an example of Jesus to me.”

We thought it would mean something to our loved ones, but had no idea just how much. They told us they didn’t realize that different things we wrote meant so much to us. They kept the cards and reread the notes throughout the year. One grandpa mixed them all together and each day read one of the cards. He said he didn’t even know if he had read them all yet. One grandma opened them all on the spot. She kept reading them all year.

Of all the things that our family has done for others, this was by far one of the most meaningful to the recipient. It also gave us the opportunity to stop and think of all the reasons we appreciate, admire and love those family members. Sometimes we forget to stop and tell people the important things. Consider taking the time this year to give an expression of love through your written words.

Supplies: small white cards with the words “You are a gift” printed in red, white coin envelopes, larger white envelope

Write a memory or something the child likes about the relative on the card. Place it in one of the coin envelopes. Have the entire family help do these creating 52 cards- one per week. For relatives on fixed incomes, consider putting gift cards or cash in some of the cards. Place all the cards in the larger envelope.